MAYWEATHERS SUED

A special New Year’s gift in the form of a lawsuit was sent by Manny Pacquiao to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his father a day after 2009 came to an end.

The Filipino boxing champion filed a case against the Mayweathers in a federal court in Las Vegas, alleging father and son – along with other personalities – defamed him by falsely accusing Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs.

“Calling a professional athlete a cheater is the most serious charge one can make,” the lawsuit says, "and in today's world, accusing an athlete of using performance-enhancing drugs - however baseless and lacking in evidence - is toxic.”

Pacquiao has been angered by the Mayweather camp's insistence on doping control blood tests in the buildup to their welterweight showdown - a demand that has the March 13 fight in doubt.

Mayweather has said the blood tests, which could detect substances not found by urine tests, are vital to ensure a fair fight, although blood tests are not routinely used in boxing.

Pacquiao - who says he fears having blood drawn less than 30 days before the fight would 'weaken' him - has taken exception to the demand and to comments made by the Mayweather camp in media interviews.

His lawsuit asks for damages in excess of 75,000 dollars and names Mayweather, his father, Floyd snr, and uncle Roger Mayweather as defendants. Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer, who operate Golden Boy Promotions and are promoting Mayweather, are also named as having “stated publicly that Pacquiao has used and is using performance-enhancing drugs, including steroids.”

The lawsuit cites several interviews given by the Mayweather camp, including the unbeaten US boxer's comments in a radio interview in October about Pacquiao's physical development, when he said: “cause we know the Philippines got the best enhancing drugs.”

Also quoted in the suit were Mayweather's remarks published in the British newspaper The Guardian, in which Mayweather said he had “great doubt as to the level of fairness I would be facing in the ring that night.”

“The truth did not stop Mayweather and the others,” the suit alleges. “That is because they are motivated by ill will, spite, malice, revenge and envy.”

Pacquiao, who has supplanted Mayweather in the estimation of many as boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter, has earned titles in seven weight classes.

Their fight could bring each as much as 40 million dollars, and it had appeared to be virtually set after squabbles were settled over issues including the division of the purse and the type of gloves to be used.

The dope test procedures, however, have proved a sticking point.

The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum is preparing to open negotiations with World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman as talks with Mayweather falter.

Arum, contacted by the newspaper while on vacation in Mexico, sounded pessimistic that Pacquaio-Mayweather would happen on March 13.

“This is only my opinion, but I don't see the fight happening now," he told the Times. “Positions are hardening ... Manny's fit to be tied. He's very angry.”

Arum acknowledged there could still be a breakthrough, but said: “It might be best to visit this fight later in 2010.”

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PACMAN UNDERGOES TEST

PROOF that he has nothing to hide, Manny Pacquiao finally undergone a urine test Wednesday, sample of which was brought by World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) accredited doctor Alex Pineda to Manila from General Santos City.

Pineda, who is also associated with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), conducted the test at around mid-afternoon and then, promptly returned back to Manila later in the day bringing with him the sample specimens.

Two samples labeled `A’ and `B’ and totaling 100 ml. where taken by Pineda and will be sent to Thailand, Malaysia or China for further analysis.

“We’re bringing the samples to this country because we don’t have a Wada-accredited testing here,” said Pineda.

The test was in compliance with the order of the Nevada State Athletic Commission under chairman Pat Lundvall for both Pacquiao and American Floyd Mayweather Jr. to submit themselves for a urine test within the next 48 hours in an effort to save their proposed March 13 mega-welterweight fight following a major disagreement on drug testing procedures.

Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada-based commission, said possible fines or suspension will be meted on either fighter in the event they failed to comply with the requirements.

“I don’t know if this will help the chances of the fight happening. But will all this talk of drug tests, let’s actually do one,” Kizer said.

The Mayweather camp has yet to announce when the flamboyant boxing superstar will undergo the same test.

According to Pineda, results of the tests will either be sent to his office or to the Games and Amusements Board under chairman Eric Buhain.

It was Buhain who requested Pineda to go to General Santos City and conduct the test.

Pacquiao quickly took the test as his family is set to celebrate the birthday of his eldest daughter, Mary Divine Grace.

Despite the first positive sign that both fighters are not walking away from what many expects to be the richest bout in boxing history, both camps remain adamant on their respective demands on how to go about the blood testing procedure prior to the fight.

Bob Arum, whose Top Rank Promotions holds the right on the 31-year old Filipino boxing champion, had given the Mayweather camp a final-offer on Sunday, proposing three blood tests on each of the fighters and none within 30 days of the fight.

Pacquiao has said he fears having blood drawn less than 30 days before the fight would weaken him.

But Mayweather's camp issued a statement the following day indicating Pacquiao's reluctance to undergo blood testing within 30 days before the fight remained a stumbling block.

"Let the record be clear: Manny Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum are threatening to walk away from the largest fight in history,” said in the statement released by Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions. -Philippine Boxing News

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SAVING `THE FIGHT'

By Gerry Ramos

FOR boxing promoter Bob Arum, there’s only one way the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. can be saved.

“Get rid of USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency), bring in one of the agencies that do the NFL and NBA, and we’ll tell tham what kind of testing we want and they will do it for us and the fight will go on,” he said.

Otherwise, the fight expected to go down as the richest in boxing history won’t be on the line on March 13.

With the continuous insistence of the Mayweather camp, specifically adviser Al Haymon and Mayweather Promotions Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Leonard Ellerbe, to strictly observe an Olympic-style, drug-testing to be conducted by the USADA, Arum has already considered taking a serious look at Plan B, which includes a possible match up with former world junior welterweight champion Paul Malignaggi.

Before leaving for a working vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for the holidays, Arum disclosed that he already had contact with Malignaggi’s promoter Lou Dibella about coming in as a possible replacement.

“I reached out to Lou DiBella, and we’re going to schedule that fight for March 13 unless something drastically changes with this Mayweather thing,” Arum said when interviewed by ESPN.

“I’m not going to leave Manny without a fight because of this nonsense (with Mayweather.”

Malignaggi, a Brooklyn, New York native with a record of 25-3, with only 5 knockouts, said he’s ready to take on Pacquiao, never mind that he also once accused the Filipino boxing champion of using performance-enhancing drugs.

And unlike before, the 29-year old American said he’s giving Pacquiao the benefit of the doubt this time.

“I’d like to believe he’s not on something, so I’d be OK to do the regular testing the commission (Nevada State Athletic Commission) does,” he said.

But like the rest of the world, Malignaggi is also keeping his fingers crossed that eventually boxing’s highly-anticipated fight will be made.

“At the end of the day, these guys have to come up with an agreement,” he said. “It’s cool to have my name in the mix, but to leave that much money on the table doesn’t make sense.”

Another thing that could hamper the fight to happen is Pacquiao’s serious plan to file a lawsuit against Mayweather Jr., his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who represented Floyd Jr. in negotiations for the fight with Pacquiao.

Stressing his name and reputation had been maligned and tarnished by insinuations made by the Mayweathers and the Golden Boy executive that he’s into illegal drugs, Pacquiao on Christmas Day announced that he’s ready to file a case on the court against these people.

Arum said he talked to Pacquiao over the phone the other day and mentioned that he has never heard the boxing icon talk furiously like this before.

“I have never, ever in all the years I have known Manny seen him so angry,” said the Top Rank Promotions chairman. “No wonder he is so fierce in the ring. He was angry, bitter and really pissed off beyond everything.

“He said, `I don’t want you to deal with these people’. He said he’s going through with the lawsuit.”

Apparently, HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg tried to save the fight by telling Arum and Schaefer to talk out Senator John McCain into mediating for the fight to happen, a suggestion made by HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant.

McCain, the former Republican presidential candidate, was a former amateur boxer at the U.S. Naval Academy who authored two major legislation benefiting boxing, including the famous Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000.

But not even McCain’s influence is enough to convince Pacquiao to reconsider on his decision.

“There is no mediation because there is no give here,” said Arum. “Ross (Greenburg) asked if we would agree to mediation, but we’re not agreeable anymore. We’re not going to let Mayweather jerk Manny’s chain.”

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ON THE WARPATH

By Gerry Ramos

STRESSING he had enough of being falsely suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs, Manny Pacquiao announced on Christmas Day the filing of a lawsuit against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his father, Floyd Sr., along with Golden Boy Promotions.

In a statement from Saranggani, Davao Del Sur, where he is spending the holidays, the 31-year old Pacquiao said the lawsuit is intended to clear out his name, which he believed was tarnished and damaged by the false accusations being floated by the Mayweathers and Golden Boy, the lead promotion representing Floyd Jr. in his aborted March 13 fight with the Filipino champion.

“Enough is enough. These people, Mayweather Sr., Jr., and Golden Boy Promotions, think it is a joke and a right to accuse someone wrongly of using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. I have tried to just brush it off as a mere pre-fight ploy but I think they have gone overboard,” said Pacquiao.

“I have instructed my promoter, Bob Arum, head of Top Rank Inc., to help me out in the filing of the case as soon as possible because I have had people coming over to me now asking if I really take performance-enhancing drugs and I have cheated my way into becoming the No. 1 boxer in the world,” he added.

Floyd Jr. and Golden Boy Promotions floated the idea Pacquiao is into performance-enhancing drug following his refusal to submit himself into a random, Olympic-style drug testing to be administered by the US Anti-Doping Agency.

Pacquiao agreed to undergo blood-testing procedure, but to be handled by an outside agency involved with other professional sports such as the National Basketball Association, the National Football League and the major league.

The dispute in blood testing led to the cancellation of the fight that is expected to generate around $200 million in earnings.

Floyd Sr. has accused Pacquiao of taking illegal drugs since he beat Ricky Hatton in just two rounds during their junior welterweight title fight last May. The elder Mayweather serves as Hatton’s chief trainer.

Pacquiao said libel, slander and defamation suits will be filed against the involved personalities.

The current pound-for-pound king stressed he’s not into any kind of drug use.

“I maintain and assure everyone that I have not used any form or kind of steroids and that my way to the top is a result of hard work, hard work, hard work and a lot of blood spilled from my past battles in the ring, not outside of it.

“I have no idea what steroids look like and my fear in God has kept me safe and victorious through all these years.”

“Now, I say to Floyd Mayweather Jr., don’t be a coward and face me in the ring, mano-a-mano and shut your big, pretty mouth, so we can show the world who is the true king of the ring,” said Pacquiao, who has been contemplating on filing a case against Mayweather Sr. even before the start of his Nov. 14 fight with Miguel Angel Cotto.

“Pretty Boy Floyd, face me instead on March 13 in Las Vegas and not in some talk show forum or in press releases written for you by people who don’t even know me. Face me in a fight where I get to punch back.

“You and your cohorts have accused me of using performance-enhancing drugs. Now, I say, the burden of proof should now come from you, not me,” said Pacquiao, the only seven-time, seven-weight division champion in the history of the sport.

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SIGNS OF LIFE

SIGNS that the super-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not yet dead surfaced Thursday when Top Rank Promotions’ Bob Arum gave it a semblance of life by proposing a new schedule and a different agency that will conduct the drug testing procedures to be done on the two boxing superstars.

“Let’s be very clear on the real issues we differ on. It’s not about being tested,” said the 78-year old Arum, who owns the promotional rights on the Filipino boxing champion.

“Manny is on board with that since it’s such a major concern of Floyd Mayweather Jr. It’s about who does the testing and the scheduling of the procedures.”

The Mayweather camp the other day suggested that an Olympic-standard, random pre-fight blood tests to be handled by the USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) be conducted on both fighters before their March 13 welterweight bout based on suspicions that Pacquiao is taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. was the first to raise the issue shortly after the Filipino scored a devastating second round knockout of Ricky Hatton last May. Mayweather Sr. was the chief trainer in Hatton’s corner.

Under the procedure, random urine and blood testing would be made on both Pacquiao and Mayweather throughout their training camps, during fight week or even the day of the bout itself, and immediately after the match.

Pacquiao, regarded as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter today, has not failed any drug test in the U.S. as conducted by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in Las Vegas, where the Filipino regularly fights, and other state agencies through post-fight urine tests, and in some case, pre-fight urine tests.

While initially hesitant, the Pacquiao camp eventually relented to the urine and blood testing process, but on conditions that it will not be made random style.

Arum also is not in favor of tapping the services of USADA, and instead, suggested to employ another independent body more adept at handling drug testing issues at the professional level.

“Manny will submit to as many random urine tests requested,” Arum said. “Regarding the blood tests, he will subject himself to three tests – one given in January during the week the fight is formally announced, one 30 days from the fight, no later than Feb. 13, and the final one immediately following the fight in Manny’s locker room.”

“He'll give them blood, but he wants to know it will stop at a particular point,” Arum said. “He wants the fight. But he's a proud guy. He won't be pushed around by this guy (Mayweather).”

The Top Rank big boss likewise mentioned that it will be better to get the services of drug testing agencies involved in U.S. pro sports such as the NBA and NFL.

“Our suggestion is to utilize any of the independent agencies that work with the National Football League (NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA) or Major League Baseball, since they administer drug testing for their professional athletes,” Arum added.

“I know if I deal with an organization that deals with pro athletes we can agree to the protocol.”

The Harvard-schooled promoter didn’t hide his reservations with the USADA.

“The United States Anti Doping Agency cannot do it because they will not amend its procedures to accommodate the blood testing schedule we have outlined. USADA, under its guidelines, would have the right to administer random blood tests as many times as they want up to weigh-in day and that is ludicrous,” he said.

Arum is hoping that a compromise be reached by both parties on Thursday (Friday in Manila) in order to save a fight billed this early as one of the biggest in the annals of boxing history and expected to gross around $200 million.

But Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather’s top adviser, is adamant in pursuing their earlier demand for a random-style drug testing to be administered by USADA.

“We're sticking to what we've been saying,” Ellerbe said. “Manny Pacquiao or any of his representatives are not going to dictate random testing. That's the whole point of random testing, so you don't get a chance to study for the test.

“USADA is the premiere agency for doing this, the gold standard. They're not going to have Top Rank, Mayweather Promotions or Golden Boy Promotions (which represents Mayweather in negotiations with Top Rank) dictate to them. It's pretty simple. Manny Pacquiao can put an end to this whole thing by stepping up to the plate and doing this.”

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OH NO!

WITH uncertainty on the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather hanging in the air, Top Rank Promotions’ Bob Arumhas already began to reconsider other options for the Filipino’s next opponent on March 13.

Michael Konz, Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser and Arum’s liaison officer, bared that names such as newly-crowned World Boxing Association (WBA) super-welterweight champion Yuri Foreman and former world champion Paul Malignaggi are among the leading names being mentioned as Pacquiao likely foe in the event his fight with the unbeaten Mayweather be doomed for good.

A dispute over doping test rules jeopardized the highly-anticipated welterweight showdown between two of the world’s top boxers today.

Mayweather insisted a stricter World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) test procedures followed for the fight rather than the usual methods, a change that would mandate blood tests for banned substances as well urine analysis.

But Pacquiao quickly denied the demand of the Mayweather camp, insisting he has nothing to hide as what Mayweather’s father, Floyd Sr, has been trying to float since the Filipino boxing champion beat his ward, Ricky Hatton, last May.

The older Mayweather accused Pacquiao of taking performance-enhancing substances, resulting to successive victories in four different weight classes in just a year’s span.

The young Mayweather already agreed to have the procedure be followed for the fight.

“I have already agreed to the testing and it is a shame that he is not willing to do the same,” Mayweather said. “It leaves me with great doubt as to the level of fairness I would be facing in the ring that night.”

But Todd DuBoef, president of Top Rank, which promotes Pacquiao, said “Pacquiao has difficulty with taking blood and doesn't want to do it so close to the fight. Pacquiao would only agree to have blood drawn before the kick-off press conference and after the fight.”

That would not comply with Mayweather's desires.

“I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken because frankly I don't know anyone who really does,” Mayweather said. “But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level.

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Elorde Boxing Gym Opens in Imus, Cavite

ELORDE BOXING GYM, IMUS OPENS

A new branch of Elorde Gym has just opened in Cavite. Located at the 4th floor of Lotus Central Mall, Nuevo Avenue, Imus, Cavite. Aside from boxing, the gym offers lessons/training in Taekwondo, MuayThai, Arnis and Mixed Martial Arts. The gym also offers Boxer's massage. The membership fee is only P500 per year, the per session rate is P200 (student rate: P150 per session) or a monthly unlimited rate of only P1,800. For inquiries, please call or text: (046) 696-6413 and 0923-7039581.

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PACMAN SAYS YES!

By Gerry Ramos

NOT one to back down from what many considers as one of the biggest fights in boxing history, Manny Pacquiao has given his imprimatur to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on March 13 next year.

In a breaking news aired by GMA-7 Friday night, Pacquiao disclosed he already agreed to the proposed fight with the 32-year old American three months from now.

Pacquiao and Top Rank Promotions Bob Arum met early in the day and talked about the bout that may well go down as the richest off all time, although Arum didn’t disclose what transpired during the talk other than say that “you can see a smile on my face and that means I am not disappointed.”

But Pacquiao was direct to the point when asked by GMA-7 reported Chino Trinidad.

“Oo, inaayos na siya ni Bob (Arum),” said the Filipino ring icon.

The Top Rank big boss is set to return to the U.S. tomorrow.

“My next step is to go back to the U.S. to meet with the Mayweather people to finalize all the arrangements,” he said.

One of the bone of contention still to be discussed is the weight in which the bout will be fought.

Sources privy to the negotiations said that the bout will be at 147 pounds, although Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach has indicated many times in the past that they want Mayweather at 145.

Pacquiao admitted that he agreed to take on the fight despite its close proximity to the national elections here, where he will be seeking a congressional seat in Saranggani, since age is obviously fast catching up on him.

“Hindi na rin naman kasi tayo bumabata,” he said.

The purse both fighters would be receiving have also remained undisclosed, but Trinidad bared Pacquiao is going to get not less than $30 million for the fight.

As soon as Arum arrives in the U.S., he plans to immediately resume negotiations with Golden Boy Promotions executive Richard Schaefer, whom the Mayweather camp allowed to negotiate the mouth-watering fight on their behalf.

In the event the bout is finalized for March 13, a major press conference will be held on January, although Arum said the traditional multi-city promotional tour to hype up the fight may be forego owing to time constraints.

“That's as far as I can go,” Arum stressed.

At the same time, the 78-year old promoter urged candidate Roy Chongbian, who will be running against Pacquiao for the lone congressional seat of Saranggani, to make the ultimate sacrifice.

“I think his opponent would do everybody a service to the great country of the Philippines by withdrawing from the race so it could take Manny’s mind off politics, but that’s just my opinion.

“I am not a Filipino and I can’t tell everyone what to do, but this guy Manny is running against should do everybody a favor,” Arum added.

In Friday’s press conference, Arum and ABS-CBN finalized their two-year agreement, allowing Top Rank to broadcast its major fights in the U.S, including those featuring Filipino fighters, over the television network owned by the Lopezes.

Not included in the deal are fights featuring Pacquiao, whose rights still belong to rival network GMA and Solar Sports.

Arum was welcomed at the 14th floor of the ELJ Bldg inside the ABS-CBN compound by its chairman Gabby Lopez, vice-president Peter Musngi and CFO Roy Valdueza.

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IT'S MANNY'S CALL

By Gerry Ramos

IT’S now up to Manny Pacquiao for the biggest fight in boxing history to happen.

Top Rank big boss Bob Arum is arriving in the country today, bringing with him the agreed terms he had with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a super welterweight fight with Pacquiao next year, and hoping to get the imprimatur of the popular Filipino boxing champion for the bout to become possible.

More than the regular issue concerning the split of prize purse, a big chunk of discussion is expected to center around the date of the fight.

The choice has come down to March 13 after Arum and Golden Boy Promotions’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Schaefer, negotiating in behalf of Mayweather Jr, scrapped the other fight date of May 1 upon learning Pacquiao formalized his intention of running for a congressional seat in Saranggani when he filed his Certificate of Candidacy late Tuesday.

The national election is set on May 10.

Mayweather apparently has no problem if the fight would be on March or May.

Pacquiao has kept quiet regarding his planned return to the ring after scoring a 12-round stoppage against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in their World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fight four weeks ago, as he’s currently occupied with his second attempt at running for a public office.

Two people close to Pacquiao agreed that his next fight would all depend on how the political field will play to the boxing champion’s favor.

Filipino promoter Wakee Salud believes Mayweather Jr is the next logical choice for Pacquiao to face in the ring, but has second thoughts about a March 13 showdown.

“Masyadong malapit `yung petsa. Kung March ang laban, by next month dapat start na ng training ni Manny,” he said.

Long-time boxing personality Moy Lainez on the other hand, said a March 13 fight hinges on the chances of Pacquiao to win his political battle in Saranggani.

“Dapat walang sagabal sa pag-e-ensayo niya. Kung magiging abala `yung political plan niya, baka puwedeng after na lang ng election siya lumaban,” Lainez pointed out.

Arum is coming over to Manila less than 24 hours after resolving open issues with Schaefer during their negotiations that began a few days after Pacquiao’s sensational win over Cotto.

A source privy to the talks said the fight is likely to be held at 147, the maximum weight for a welterweight.

Three probable sites are also being eyed as venue for the bout the whole world wants to see, among them are the MGM Grand, which staged several Pacquiao and Mayweather fights, the new stadium of the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Superdome.

Dan Rafael of ESPN also reported that should the showdown happens on March 13, HBO Pay-Per-View would be forced to move its tentative fight schedule between light heavyweights Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins. Both Hopkins and Jones have upcoming fights that they have to hurdle for the meeting to push through.

In passing, Arum has also mentioned possibly pitting Pacquiao against newly-crowned junior middleweight champion Yuri Foreman should the deal with Mayweather is not finalized. A duel with Foreman would give the Filipino a shot at winning a title in an eight division.

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`PATAY KUNG PATAY'

Annie Albania and Harry Tanamor

ASIAN Games gold medalist Joan Tipon couldn’t have said it best when asked about the RP boxing team’s coming campaign in the 2009 Southeast Asian Games.

“Patay kung patay,” said the soft-spoken boxer from Negros Occidental when he appeared with the rest of the national squad in the weekly PSA Forum yesterday at the Shakey’s U.N. Avenue branch.

His sentiment readily spoke about the overall outlook of a team seeking to redeem itself in the 25th edition of the biennial meet that kicks off next week in Laos.

Claiming unfair officiating did them in, the nationals settled for just a single gold, courtesy of Annie Albania, and 12 silver medals during the last staging of the SEA Games in Thailand two years ago.

But now faced with a new ballgame, the boxing team vows to go all-out this time.

“Yung gold pagla-labanan pa lang, pero kukunin namin `yun at hindi ibibigay sa kalaban,” assured women’s coach Boy Catolico.

Albania and Tipon were with Catolico, men’s coach Pat Gaspi, veterans Harry Tanamor and Mitchel Martinez and SEA Games newcomer Charlie Suarez.

Others comprising the team are Alice Kate Aparri and Josie Gabuco in the distaff side and Bill Vicera, Charlie Suarez and Joegin Ladon in the men’s squad.

Of the lot, all eyes are expected on Albania, not only because she’s gunning for a third straight gold in the SEA Games , but the former University of the East stalwart is also coming off a gold medal showing in the recent Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam.

That lone gold by Albania in the 3rd edition of the Indoor meet made her the hands-down choice as the country’s official flag bearer during SEA Games opening rite.

“Ako nga rin po nagulat sa pagkakapili ko (as flag bearer),” said the pride of Banga, South Cotabato.

“Asahan ninyo pong gagawin namin ang lahat para maiuwi ang gintong medalya.”

Expected to crowd out the Filipinos for the golds are perennial rival Thailand, although Malaysia and Indonesia also loom as big threats.

“Hindi natin winawalang bahala `yung iba pa, tulad ng Malaysia and Indonesia. Even `yung host country sigurado magpu-pumilit iyan,” Gaspi said.

“Pero Thailand pa rin ang pina-mabigat natin na kalaban.”

The boxing team will be leaving for Laos on Dec. 6, although competitions won’t start until the 11th for men and 12th for women.

On the 10th, the weigh-in and drawing of lots will be held.

“Doon pa lang tayo magkakaroon ng idea kung sino ang mga makakalaban natin,” Gaspi added.

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